Tridevi : Creator, Preserver and Destroyer
Tridevi : Creator, Preserver and Destroyer, 2023
Sari, cotton, beads, bells, wire, steel, old children’s clothes, high chair, insulation
‘Tridevi: Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer’ is inspired by my experience of motherhood.
In Hinduism, Tridevi refers to the trio of goddesses Sarasvati, Lakshmi, and Parvati—feminine counterparts to the Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—representing the roles of Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer. The banyan tree, often seen as a symbolic embodiment of the Trimurti, is echoed in this work.
This sculpture reflects the complex roles I inhabit as a mother, mirroring the essence of the Tridevi. It draws on my roots (the past), confronts the challenges of being a British Indian mother (the present), and carries within it the experiences and growth of my twin daughters (the future).
Through the process of making this piece, I explore how I’m shaping experiences for my daughters to connect with their Indian heritage. At the same time, I question certain ideologies and cultural expectations I don’t align with—ones I wish to shield them from or dismantle entirely. Yet, I also recognise the limitations of what one generation can change; cultural norms take time to transform. There are aspects of British Indian culture and society that I don’t agree with—patriarchal attitudes, expectations placed on women, and narrow definitions of identity—that I actively try to protect my daughters from. But I know that despite my efforts, they will still be exposed to these influences. Real change is slow, often unfolding over generations, and while I may not be able to dismantle these systems entirely in my lifetime, I hope to plant the seeds of questioning, strength, and self-awareness in my daughters so they can continue the work.